Details of the Diaconate Formation Program

Formation Program - General Information

The formation program is four years in length.  Classes are held in a hybrid format via ZOOM using the Learning Management System CANVAS and meeting one week a month at the Pastoral Center in Braintree.

The first year of formation is focused on the discernment of the vocational call to the Diaconate.  This year, referred to as the Year of Aspirancy, includes presentations on the ministry of the Diaconate, scripture classes, retreats, and spiritual formation.  Classes take place Monday and Wednesday evenings from September through April, and wives are expected to attend all sessions during this first year. 
Men participating in the program also attend Spiritual Formation days one Saturday every month at the Pastoral Center in Braintree, MA. There are additional programs for wives throughout the first year, which are communicated in advance.

Years two – four are focused on academic courses and pastoral training and have a similar class schedule as the first year. The program includes pastoral field experiences for all male candidates, including an intensive summer internship at the end of the 3rd year. Candidates are evaluated each year to discern their readiness to continue in formation and eventually to ordination.

The Institute for the New Evangelization (TINE) program now offers its two-degree programs at significantly reduced tuition as an option to the matriculating Diaconal candidate: the Master of Arts in Ministry degree and the Master of Theological Studies for the New Evangelization.
The diaconate formation program is also open for our brothers for whom English is not their primary language. Presently and in the past, we have Hispanic, Brazilian, Haitian, Korean, and Vietnamese men in the program. Our formation program is offered primarily in English; however, candidates are allowed to do written work for the classes in their native languages. Bi-lingual faculty is available whenever possible.          

Wives

Wives of Aspirants are expected to attend all sessions during this first year. While they are not expected to, they remain invited to attend all sessions in subsequent years of the Diaconal program. There are occasional programs scheduled specifically for wives.
Years 2 through 4 consist of a similar meeting schedule Wives are welcome to these classes but are not required to attend. They will have two sessions in the Spring and two in the Fall prepared for them.